Top of the List: Executive search firms

Heidrick & Struggles is the new No. 1 on our annual list of the largest executive search firms in Silicon Valley.

The Business Journal ranked the top 25 search firms on the number of executive-level placements in Silicon Valley between Oct. 1, 2009 and Sept. 30, 2010, based on data gathered through surveys sent to the firms. A few notable search firms declined to participate in this year’s survey, including Korn/Ferry International, Spencer Stuart and Russell Reynolds Associates. Ten new firms appear on this year’s list that weren’t ranked last year. Firms on the list placed an average of about 27 executives in Silicon Valley.

Heidrick & Struggles shot to the top this year with 94 executive placements in Silicon Valley. The firm, which has an office in Menlo Park, was not ranked last year.

Schweichler Price Mullarkey & Barry came in at No. 2 with 65 placements. Just behind at No. 3 with 58 placements was another new entrant, Reaction Search International Inc.

Next at No. 4 was Foxhunt Staffing, which retained its position on last year’s list with 56 placements.

And for a three-way tie at No. 5 was Busch International, Howard Fischer Associates Inc. and Solutus Legal Search LLC, which all placed 45 executives in Silicon Valley.

1. Heidrick & Struggles, 94 placements.

2. Schweichler Price Mullarkey & Barry, 65 placements.

3. Reaction Search International Inc., 58 placements.

4. Foxhunt Staffing, 56 placements.

5. Busch International, 45 placements.

5. Howard Fischer Associates, 45 placements.

5. Solutus Legal Search LLC, 45 placements.

For the rest of the top 25 executive search firms in Silicon Valley, including contact information, companywide placements, sample of industries served and the name of the top executive, take a look at the Jan. 7 print edition of the Business Journal. The full list is only available in print. Click here to subscribe to the paper, in print or digital form.